Star may get another 2-week extension

The government is likely to give Star another two-week extension for temporary uplinking of its news channel, which is now in the eye of a storm over its application for permanent uplinking from Indian soil.

The inter-ministerial group may meet on Saturday to finalise its recommendations on Star's proposal, being seen as a test case for the government's future policy on uplinking.

Though the two-week deadline of the previous extension given to Star expired on Wednesday night, the channel continues in its earlier format in view of a court stay restraining Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd from switching off its signals.

Information and broadcasting ministry sources said on Thursday that it was likely to give its formal nod for another fortnight's extension.

Also Read Star will have to comply

With Star being a unique case, the IMG is focusing on its application to see if the uplinking guidelines need further tightening, they said.

On suggestions about an Indian shareholder having at least 51 stakes, sources said major policy changes would require a Cabinet approval.

The government also realises that enforcing the "spirit" of guidelines was not an easy task and the Group of Ministers to which the issue will be referred may look at the matter in a wider context.

Star has got four consecutive weekly permissions and a fortnight long one after the June 26 deadline for meeting the uplinking guidelines stipulating a 26 per cent cap on foreign equity expired.